Emerging Healthcare Sector In India

Healthcare sector is India’s one of largest sector which comprises of an extensive network of hospitals, medical or healthcare institutes and other medical services. Initially the healthcare sector in India remained in public domain but now many private players are also playing significant role in health-based services.

Raising the consciousness towards nutrition in India, maintaining public health and improving the standard of living of the Indian people are some of the main responsibilities of the State and Centre government in India. A large number of government hospitals that provide healthcare facilities at subsidized rate are operating in different states in India. These hospitals are set up with an aim to provide adequate medical facilities to both a patient living poverty line as well to another prosperous patient.

Primary healthcare in India is provided by the city and district hospitals and rural healthcare centers. Very often, these medical centers provide healthcare facilities free of cost. There are special provisions to handle grave healthcare issues such as malnutrition, immunization against various deadly diseases, pregnancy, child birth and postnatal care.

In the recent times, India has witnessed major success in eradicating mass famines, however the country still suffers from serious problems of malnutrition and lack of health consciousness among Indian people. Improper sanitation facilities and inadequate water supply are few other problems which are adversely affecting healthcare in India.

Fortunately, despite of all these perennial problems, the healthcare sector in India is growing at a rapid pace. In 2007, the healthcare market in India was estimated was estimated at US $35 billion. It is expected that the healthcare sector in India will double and reach US $70 billion by 2012. Rising income levels and a growing elderly population are some of the factors augmenting growth of healthcare sector in India.

India has also carved a niche for itself as an excellent medical tourism destination in the past few years. Every year thousands of international visitors come to India to get adequate medical treatment in India. Some of the most common treatments are heart surgery, knee transplant, cosmetic surgery and dental surgery. In order to remain competitive, healthcare providers in India are looking at improving their operational efficiency and are providing value added medical experience to patients.